SATURDAY, AUGUST 22, 2015

Sumaye decamps CCM, joins Ukawa

Former Prime Minister Fredrick Sumaye

Former Prime Minister Fredrick Sumaye 

In Summary

The premier, who served during Benjamin Mkapa's administration for 10 consecutive years, said he defected to Ukawa so as to render the country a strong leadership after October elections.

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By Louis Kolumbia, Mwananchi Digital

Dar. Another major twist in Tanzania's political terrain came up Saturday as Former Prime Minister Fredrick Sumaye defected to the Opposition.

He becomes the second country's ex-premier to ditch the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) to join a coalition of opposition parties, popularly known as Ukawa – formed by Chadema, CUF, NCCR-Mageuzi and NLD.

The premier, who served during Benjamin Mkapa's administration for 10 consecutive years, said he defected to Ukawa so as to render the country a strong leadership after October elections.

He said escalating corruption and blunders by CCM leaders during intraparty electoral processes have weakened it giving the opposition popularity among most Tanzanians.

"It's so difficult to withhold the ongoing wave of change. I believe Ukawa will win this year's elections because people are fed-up of empty promises and all they need is change. I'm optimistic Ukawa will win this year's elections," he stressed.

"My decision to join Ukawa has nothing to do with the originality of Ukawa's presidential candidate, Mr Lowassa or most of its top leaders. I want to use my administrative experience to speed up people's development soon after the October elections," he said.

He said arguments that there was no political life outside CCM need to be trashed as they belong to a bygone era.

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